Neil Shipperley's 20th goal of the season gave 10-man Wimbledon a narrow
victory against a makeshift Sheffield United side at Selhurst Park.
The Blades, with one eye on Sunday's FA Cup semi-final clash against Arsenal,
made seven changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace.
Midfielder Michael Tonge and Saturday's goal hero Steve Kabba were among the
substitutes as manager Neil Warnock took a gamble on his fringe players, and his
plan failed as Shipperley pounced to net the only goal of the game in the 38th
minute.
The visitors threw everything at Wimbledon in the second half but failed to
find a way through, even when Adam Nowland was sent off with seven minutes
remaining.
United, going into the game on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run,
started brightly, with Marcel Cas unleashing a stinging volley that Kelvin Davis
did well to turn around the post after half an hour.
But it was the Dons who took the lead against the run of play.
Patrick Agyemang's driving run into the area ended with a fierce shot that was
spilled by goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, and Shipperley was first to react to poke
home the rebound.
The Blades responded and had the ball in the net minutes later.
Owen Morrison beat three defenders before slipping the ball through to striker
Dean Windass. He slammed the ball home but the referee had already whistled for
offside and the home side escaped.
Windass was agonisingly close again in first half injury time as his free-kick
cleared the wall but clipped off the top of the crossbar.
The burly forward was looking lively and should have done better shortly after
the restart when he was sent clear by Robert Page.
Windass held on to the ball for too long, and when he eventually fired a shot
goalwards, keeper Davis was quick to get down and smother his effort.
Darren Holloway's late challenge on Ben Doane after 56 minutes left the Blades
youngster in a heap and, after treatment, Tonge came on as the defender was
taken away in an ambulance.
United were enjoying a lot of possession without creating too much, but Paul
Peschisolido spurned a golden opportunity in the 74th minute.
Shaun Murphy lofted the ball over the top, leaving the Canadian international
one-on-one with Davis. His neat lob beat the Dons stopper but the ball also
cleared the crossbar.
The Blades' hopes were lifted with seven minutes left. Nowland was booked for
a challenge on Morrison after 81 minutes, and two minutes later was given his
marching orders after bringing down Peschisolido.
Warnock threw on Carl Asaba and Peter Ndlovu in a desperate attempt to snatch
an equaliser, but the Dons held on.
Teams
Wimbledon: Davis, Holloway, Leigertwood, Andersen, Hawkins,
Agyemang, Nowland, Tapp, Reo-Coker, Shipperley (Gier 88),
Connolly.
Subs Not Used: Gray, Chorley, Gordon, Gore.
Sent Off: Nowland (83).
Booked: Holloway, Nowland.
Goals: Shipperley 38.
Sheff Utd: Kenny, Cas, Murphy, Page, Doane (Tonge 59),
Javary (Ndlovu 84), Rankine, Morrison, Montgomery,
Peschisolido, Windass (Asaba 84).
Subs Not Used: McCall, Kabba.
Att: 1,325
Ref: Paul Armstrong (Berkshire).
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